The Top 4 Complaints Critical Reviews on ‘Apartment 7A’ Have

It’s no secret that the Horror movie genre is by far one of the most harshly judged. This is mostly because it is widely agreed upon that it’s easy to make a good scary movie, but also easy to make a bad one. Kind of like cooking noodles.

“Apartment 7A,” the 2024 horror thriller directed by Natalie Erika James, unfortunately, seems to be falling into the latter category, based on how horror movie critics and fans are reacting. After watching it myself, I think they may be overreacting to a certain degree.

Despite its promising premise and a talented cast, the film has sparked outrage on social media, with many viewers expressing their disappointment and frustration.

Let’s dive into the reasons behind this backlash and explore why the film has failed to resonate with certain audiences.

Complaint 1: Apartment 7A Has A Familiar Storyline with Little Innovation

One of the primary criticisms of “Apartment 7A” is its lack of originality.

The film follows the story of Terry Gionoffrio, played by Julia Garner, a young dancer who moves into a mysterious apartment building.

As she navigates her new surroundings, she becomes entangled with a peculiar older couple who promise her a shot at fame.

However, it soon becomes apparent that their intentions are far from benevolent.

While this premise might sound intriguing, it quickly becomes clear that “Apartment 7A” borrows heavily from classic horror films, particularly Roman Polanski’s “Rosemary’s Baby”.

The parallels between the two movies are hard to ignore, and many viewers have taken to social media to express their disappointment at the lack of innovation.

It’s as if the filmmakers took a well-worn path and failed to add any new twists or turns, leaving audiences feeling like they’ve seen it all before.

Complaint 2: Apartment 7A Has a Predictable Plot Twists and Lackluster Pacing

Another major gripe among viewers is the predictability of the plot. From the moment Terry steps into the apartment building, it’s evident that something sinister is afoot.

However, the film’s attempts at building suspense fall flat, as the plot twists are telegraphed well in advance.

Instead of keeping audiences on the edge of their seats, “Apartment 7A” leaves them feeling one step ahead of the characters, which diminishes the overall impact of the story.

Moreover, the pacing of the film has been a point of contention. Many viewers have noted that the movie drags in certain parts, with long stretches of exposition that do little to advance the plot.

This sluggish pacing makes it difficult for audiences to stay engaged, and by the time the film reaches its climax, the sense of tension and urgency has all but dissipated.

Complaint 3: Apartment 7A Has Underdeveloped Characters and Unconvincing Performances

A horror film’s success often hinges on its characters and their ability to evoke empathy and fear. Unfortunately, “Apartment 7A” falls short in this regard.

While Julia Garner delivers a commendable performance as Terry, her character is underdeveloped and lacks depth. Viewers are given little insight into her motivations and backstory, making it difficult to connect with her on an emotional level.

The supporting cast, including Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally as the older couple, also fails to leave a lasting impression.

Their characters are one-dimensional and lack the complexity needed to make them truly menacing. As a result, the film’s attempts at creating a sense of dread and unease fall flat, leaving audiences feeling detached from the story.

Complaint 4: Apartment 7A is Full Of Missed Opportunities for Social Commentary

Horror films often serve as a vehicle for social commentary, using their narratives to explore deeper themes and societal issues.

“Apartment 7A” had the potential to delve into topics such as ambition, exploitation, and the dark side of the entertainment industry.

However, the film fails to capitalize on these opportunities, opting instead for a more superficial approach.

Many viewers have expressed their frustration at the film’s lack of substance, noting that it could have been so much more than a run-of-the-mill horror flick.

By failing to address these deeper themes, “Apartment 7A” misses the chance to resonate with audiences on a more profound level, leaving them feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

Why I Think Apartment 7A Has Redeeming Qualities the Negative Reviews are Overlooking

Despite its shortcomings, “Apartment 7A” does have some redeeming qualities. The film’s technical aspects, including its cinematography and production design, have been praised by some viewers.

The apartment building itself is a character in its own right, with its eerie hallways and dimly lit rooms creating a sense of foreboding.

Additionally, the film’s use of modern technology and camera angles adds a unique visual flair.

Director Natalie Erika James employs a variety of techniques to create a dreamlike atmosphere, which, while effective in some scenes, ultimately cannot compensate for the film’s narrative flaws.

Still yet for many people these redeeming qualities won’t be enough to overcome the common complaints about its lack of originality, predictable plot, and underdeveloped characters.

One comment I came across on social media after watching the film seems to perfectly sum up how many people feel, “I had high hopes for this movie, but it just didn’t deliver. The pacing was all over the place, and the characters were so flat. Definitely not worth the hype”.

In the end, “Apartment 7A” is a film that had the potential to be a standout entry in the horror genre but ultimately falls short to many horror movie critics.

However, for the more casual movie goer, this might actually be a good watch, since to stays true to generic things people like about a scary film.

I would consider myself part of that group, and I can’t say I didn’t enjoy watching it.

Analyzing the current state of the Hollywood, makes it apparent that horror fans crave fresh and engaging narratives that push the boundaries of the genre.

Considering that if you’re going to make a prequel, the bar also has to set higher since it will be based on a similar movie by default.

FAQs about Apartment 7A

Q: Who plays the lead role of Terry Gionoffrio in Apartment 7A?

A: Julia Garner portrays Terry Gionoffrio in Apartment 7A. Garner is known for her role as Ruth Langmore in the TV series Ozark, for which she won three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Q: Which actors from the original Rosemary’s Baby are reprising their roles in Apartment 7A?

A: Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally reprise the roles of Margaux “Minnie” Castevet and Roman Castevet, respectively. In the original Rosemary’s Baby, these characters were portrayed by Ruth Gordon and Sidney Blackmer.

Q: Who originally played the character of Terry Gionoffrio in Rosemary’s Baby?

A: In the original Rosemary’s Baby, the character of Terry Gionoffrio was portrayed by Angela Dorian.

Q: What other notable works has Julia Garner been a part of?

A: Besides Ozark, Julia Garner has appeared in several notable films and TV shows, including The Assistant, Inventing Anna, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Q: What is the connection between Apartment 7A and Rosemary’s Baby?

A: Apartment 7A is a prequel to Rosemary’s Baby, expanding on the backstory of the character Terry Gionoffrio, who briefly appears in the original film.